Problem with context menu command "Send to Outlook", since upgrading to Office 2021

Question

In Outlook 2019, when I right clicked on a file, it would bring up a blank e mail with item attached. However, now I see attached.

If I open RUN command and insert that file path it opens Outlook ok.

I recall the previous iteration had a switch at end of command "/a". That doesn't work either.

Outlook is the default e mail handler. Suggestions valued :)

Answer 1

Hi Gerald,
Thank you for the collaboration and for your patience.
I'm running out of ideas regarding to this specific issue. I'll be leaving your question to the rest of the community. Please give them time to research and respond accordingly.

Regards.

Answer 2

Done amendment Joshua; unfortunately still have same issue, when clicking on

SEND TO OUTLOOK.

Answer 3

Hi Gerald,

Thank you for providing screenshots. It appears that you have created the correct registry keys for the "Send to Outlook" command. However, it seems like the command is not being executed correctly.

One possible reason why the command is not working could be due to the command string in the registry. Here is an updated command string that should work:

"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\OfficeXX\OUTLOOK.EXE" /c ipm.note /a "%1"

Note that the "/c ipm.note" switch is added to ensure that a new message is created instead of using an existing email.

Please try modifying the registry key with this updated command string and see if it resolves the issue.

Also, it is not necessary to create a "Data" value key for the "command" subkey. The (Default) value is sufficient to store the command string.

Let me know if you need further assistance.

Regards,
Joshua.

Answer 4

Thanks Joshua; I've made Registry edit as screenshot, and Send To Outlook is now in context menu, but, when right clicking it doesn't open an Outlook e mail with file attached, but in case of Word doc asks me what app I want to open it in; ditto for an image file.

Does the new key SEND TO OUTLOOK need a DATA value key?

Answer 5

Hi Gerald, I'm Joshua and I am happy to help.

Sorry to hear you're experiencing this issue!

It sounds like the issue you're experiencing is that when you right-click on a file and select "Send to Outlook", the file is attached to an existing email rather than creating a new email with the file attached. This behavior may be caused by a change in the default behavior of the "Send to Outlook" command in Office 2021.

you could try creating a new context menu command that uses the "/a" switch to create a new email with the file attached. To do this, you will need to modify the registry.

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type "regedit" and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
3. Navigate to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT*\shell in the left pane.
4. Right-click on "shell" and select "New" > "Key".
5. Name the key "SendToOutlook" (or any name you prefer).
6. Right-click on "SendToOutlook" and select "New" > "Key".
7. Name the key "command".
8. Double-click on the (Default) value in the right pane and enter the following command:
   "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\OfficeXX\OUTLOOK.EXE" /a "%1"

Note: Replace "XX" with the version number of Office you have installed (e.g. 16 for Office 2016, 17 for Office 2019, 18 for Office 2021).

9. Click OK to save the value.
10. Close the Registry Editor.

After you have completed these steps, you should be able to right-click on a file and select "SendToOutlook" to create a new email with the file attached.

Let me know if you need further assistance.

Regards,
Joshua.